The Ocean is Formed by Many Rivers

Sometimes you learn from a person
That is one important way
Sometimes someone needs to help
Guide you on the learning highway

Sometimes you need written records
Something made by someone learned
When you need to learn that way
Do it, or you'll be burned!

Sometimes you learn through watching
A person doing something
That is also an important
And easy way of learning

Sometimes you need knowledge
And then you need to see
When done right
It is a cup o' tea

Sometimes company helps you
Being surrounded by those who are good
If you know great people
Use this way! You should! You should!

Do these all
Every way to learn
If you study hard
All knowledge, you shall earn

And so you can see
Many rivers create
A vast ocean
Whose thirst no amount of knowledge can sate

(Translated from the following Kannada poem from Someshwara Shataka - A work from 13th century - as explained to me in simple words by my dad)

ಕೆಲವಂ ಬಲ್ಲವರಿಂದ ಕಲ್ತು ಕೆಲವಂ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಂಗಳಂ ಕೇಳುತಂ |
ಕೆಲವಂ ಮಾಳ್ಪವರಿಂದ ಕಂಡು ಕೆಲವಂ ಸುಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂ ನೋಡುತಂ ||
ಕೆಲವಂ ಸಜ್ಜನಸಂಗದಿಂದಲರಿಯಲ್ ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞನಪ್ಪಂ ನರಂ |
ಪಲವುಂ ಪಳ್ಳ ಸಮುದ್ರವೈ ಹರಹರಾ ಶ್ರೀ ಚೆನ್ನಸೋಮೇಶ್ವರಾ ||

Snow-mobiling

On December 25, 2009, my family and I visited Lake Tahoe. But that is not what this is about. Anyway, at Lake Tahoe, on the 26th, we went snow-mobiling. My parents filled out driving forms while my sister and I grabbed safety gear. We had large helmets and sunglasses that see in yellow. The gloves were hard to control. The jackets were cozy. But I had no trouble with any of those things. I had trouble with the BOOTS! At first, when I stepped out on the snow, I thought that the snow from the ground was so cold that it went through my boots. But when my mom got her gear, I made a startling revelation... ALL THE BOOTS WERE FILLED WITH WATER!!! And in this cold, water becomes ice. So we had to live with that. We bought some hand warmers too. Sadly, I didn’t feel their full effect through my gloves. Anyway, when instructions were given, I listened carefully to every word. My dad drove with me. It was quite dangerous, with sheer drops on one side. At one point, my dad accidentally crashed into a small snow hill a little bit ahead of another crashee (is that a word?). I saved us by screaming,” THE REVERSE BUTTON, THE REVERSE BUTTON!” Someone would have come backed anyway, but hey, I did it, didn’t I. Anyway, when we stopped the halfway point, I was almost knee deep in snow. My mom recommended that we put our heat packs in our boots. I guess I was too numb to feel anything (and what a PAIN, my toe hurt so much), but it heated up my mom’s entire leg. By the time we hopped on our snowmobiles, I was almost crying from cold. I just envisioned warmth, like my mom recommended, and my toes didn’t break off because of frostbite. I got rid of my equipment when we were finished, and fortunately, I survived until we reached the heated car. I loved the experience and all, but let me make a point of the cold of Lake Tahoe, CA:

I AM A CALIFORNIAN. AND IN CALIFORNIA, WE CALL THIS SUPER-ULTRA-MEGA-UBER-HORRID COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swathi’s Birthday Party

December 7 was my little sister, Swathi’s, birthday. Her celebration was on the 20th, though. I was the party’s official videographer (A.K.A. The guy with 2 cameras). My motto was: (drearily) Smile. Say cheese. Also, I got paid 25 bucks! Anyway, as people came, they heard my motto: Smile. Say cheese. The adults were discussing their recent social activities. My video camera caught everything... in a blurry, spinning, unprofessional way.

The party kicked off with my mom teaching the visitors how to make cookie bouquets... with real live cookies (advertisement: Cookie Bouqets: Tasty tidbits that look like flowers)! Sadly, the flowers burned.

While those bouquets were slowly burning, the girls went and made dolls. 1 camera disappeared (Dad...) and the other one ran out of power, so my job was toasted and roasted.

Next up: group skits. My group had my 2 friends, Sanjana and ditto (I mean, literally, Sanjana and Sanjana). We were supposed to pretend to be making a teacher luncheon. I... err... improvised a bit. Our dialouge:

Student 1: Come on, we’ve got to finish this picnic
Student 2: Yes, yes, yes
Mr. Idontgotaname: (comes out) Get into History class!!!!!!
Students 1&2: Yes, yes, yes
(Mr. Idontgotaname leaves)
Student 1: Hurry, hurry, hurry
(2 seconds later)
Mr. Idontgotaname: Get into History class!!!!!!
Students 1&2: Yes, yes, yes
(Mr. Idontgotaname leaves)
(2 seconds later)
Mr. Idontgotaname: Get into History class!!!!!!
Students 1&2: TADA! Your very own luncheon!
Mr. Idontgotaname: Get into History class!!!!!!
Student 2: You’re supposed enjoy this.
Mr. Idontgotaname: (Softly) Yes, I’ll enjoy this once...(YELL) YOU GET INTO HISTORY CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Idontgotaname (geddit): Abhi Ramaprasad
Student 1:Sanjana
Student 2:Other Sanjana

It was very humorous. I changed things a bit onscreen... I couldn’t stop laughing! And, as my mom always says I write: We ate. They left. We slept.

P.S. I still got paid!
P.S.S. Keep on going to see Swathi’s birthday poem


9

Swathi, you’re ‘Nine’
You should feel better than fine
It’s your time to shine

I wish you a great birthday
On a special Monday
It’s going to be a super fun day

You are always so cute
Your cheeks look like they’re filled with fruit
And you are chubby, to boot

You always talk to me
‘Sooper’ nice, ye be
And that is something anyone can see

You always are mega smart
As sharp as a dart
You always do your part

December 7th is a special time
You should feel sublime
I really can’t find another rhyme

:-)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!
Love,
Abhi
(and Mr. Smiley :-))

Monday, Dec. 7th, 2009

Happy Birthday Ma...Dec 10th , 09

Happy Birthday, Ma
Ta-da...
You're a great mom
Always really calm
You always do everything
Before we can even say 'Ding'
You're full of good advice
And constantly really nice
Ultra Smart, Super Cool
Mega Awesome Ma
Happy Birthday Ha-Ha